Football manager Neil Warnock told players to pay him or facing losing their place in the team, a committee of MPs has heard.

Jason Puncheon made the claim in a series of tweets he posted in January 2014 following criticism from his then Crystal Palace manager Warnock after missing a penalty against Tottenham.

Puncheon, who played under Warnock at QPR in 2011 and at Palace in 2014, claimed Warnock signed players and then gave them higher wages so that they could pay him in return for a place in his team.

"What I won't accept is an opinion from a man who's crooked and ruining the game," Puncheon wrote. "NEIL WARNOCK the man who signs players... gives them extra wages n app bonus to make sure they pay him to get in the team or on the bench."

Puncheon deleted the tweets but was later fined £15,000.

Jason Puncheon was fined £15,000 after making the claims on Twitter in 2014 (Image: Getty)

The pair linked up when Warnock was given the manager's job at Palace following Tony Pulis's sudden departure in August 2014, and the 67-year-old revealed he and Puncheon had settled their differences following a conversation.

Puncheon's accusations were brought up again during a hearing convened following the Telegraph's recent investigation into the integrity of football.

Greg Clarke, the chairman of the FA, was asked by Damian Collins, acting chairman of the parliamentary culture, media and sport committee, whether Puncheon's claims about Warnock were ever investigated.

Clarke responded by saying he didn't know as he wasn't in his job at the time.

Collins said: "I think it would be pretty poor if someone has gone public and they don't have any contact from the FA asking why have they made this allegation."

Greg Clarke wasn't the chairman of the FA at the time Puncheon made the claims about Warnock (Image: AFP)

Robert Sullivan, the FA's director of strategy, responded: "Where the line is difficult to draw is bringing forward real evidence that can actually be used to take an investigation forward.

"There are comments made on social media and there is actual hard evidence that the investigators can actually use to bring forward a case and a charge."

Warnock has taken charge of 15 clubs during his managerial career.

Since starting out as the head coach of Gainsborough Trinity in 1980, the Yorkshireman has managed the likes of Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic, Sheffield United, Palace, QPR and Leeds United.

He took charge of Rotherham United in February of this year and guided them to Championship safety last season.

Earlier this month Warnock was given the reins at Cardiff City following Paul Trollope's sacking.